Top Grades in High School May Not Mean an Equal Chance at Success

For low-income students—even those with top grades and high test scores--the chance to excel in higher education can be derailed from the get-go, before the ink is even dry on their diplomas. That makes us wonder about the role high school guidance counselors play in helping low-income students apply to college and whether these students are getting the advice and support they deserve. Based on Public Agenda’s work in this area, it seems very likely the guidance system is coming up short.

For low-income students—even those with top grades and high test scores—the chance to excel in higher education can be derailed from the get-go, before the ink is even dry on their high school diplomas. For these students, outshining your high school classmates still doesn’t mean you’ll end up at a top college, according to new research from Christopher Avery of Harvard and Caroline Hoxby of Stanford. That makes us wonder about the role high school guidance counselors play in helping low-income students apply to college and whether these students are getting the advice and support they deserve. Based on Public Agenda’s work in this area, it seems very likely the guidance system is coming up short.

According to the new study reported in the New York Times, only about a third of high-achieving high school seniors from low-income families enroll in "one of the country’s 238 most selective colleges." It’s not that these highly promising students aren’t admitted—most never even apply. In sharp contrast, more than three-quarters of high-achieving students from affluent families attend one of these top schools.

Like most good research, the Avery-Hoxby study raises a challenging set of questions for educators and the public at large. Experts responding to the report mentioned lack of knowledge about financial aid and lack of role models as some reasons why these top-achieving students from poorer homes don’t attend selective colleges.

It’s not that college students can’t get a good education at many fine institutions around the country, but for many of us, the new study still raises troubling questions. If low-income youngsters don’t really have a reasonably fair shot at attending the country’s most selective and respected colleges, can we truly say we’re honoring our commitment to equal opportunity? Do we believe this is an acceptable situation, or do we believe it’s time to take meaningful steps to address it? We welcome your thoughts in the comments below.